Chapter 83: The Final Trial of Hengzhi

"The heart's ocean is hard to cross..."

Some cultivators present seemed lost in thought, as if they had gained some insight. Others paid no attention, completely ignoring him.

Thus, the second day quickly passed.

Early on the third day, Qin Tang appeared before everyone as usual. This time, however, he wasn't drinking; he wasn't drunk and looked much more refreshed.

"Today marks the final trial," Qin Tang declared, his expression solemn as he surveyed the cultivators. "On the path of cultivation, you will always encounter countless difficulties and temptations. Will you be able to persevere and remain true to your original aspirations? I will be watching."

As Qin Tang spoke, everyone's vision went black, and they lost consciousness.

***

In a small mountain village, Li Fan lay on a rooftop, watching the setting sun. He felt as if he had forgotten something. He had grown up in this mountain village, living a life of working from sunrise to sunset. This routine had continued for fifteen years.

Such days were peaceful and happy. It seemed there would be nothing wrong with living this way forever. However, a faint stirring always lingered in his heart, a feeling that he should not end his life so ordinarily.

"Fan'er, Fan'er, where are you? Come home for dinner!"

Li Fan was unmoved by his mother's call. He gazed up at the sky, watching the freely soaring birds, observing the sun and moon that had existed since ancient times, unaffected by human will, lost in thought. Night fell, and the sky was filled with stars. Beneath the vast starry sky, he felt even more insignificant.

He watched like this all night. As dawn approached, he suddenly had an epiphany. He flipped over and jumped off the roof. He rushed into the house and loudly told his still-sleeping mother, "Mom, call off my engagement to Er Niu from next door! I'm not getting married. I'm going to cultivate immortality!"

His groggy mother was startled awake, thinking her son had gone mad. She quickly got up and grabbed Li Fan's hand, "Cultivate what immortality? There are no immortals! Child, wake up!"

Li Fan pulled his hand free from his mother's grasp, his young face filled with determination. "I don't know where immortals are, but I will find them."

With that, amidst his mother's cries, he quickly packed his belongings and strode out the door.

Six months later, while exploring the deep mountains, Li Fan unfortunately met his end in the jaws of a tiger.

***

Before the dilapidated Taoist temple, amidst flickering firelight and the cries of people, Li Fan felt a profound sense of confusion.

"Senior Brother, our master is dead. What will become of our Chuyun Temple?" a timid voice beside him asked.

Li Fan was about to speak when he heard angry voices continuously coming from all around.

"What else can we do? Of course, everyone should split the temple's belongings and go down the mountain!"

"We thought the person on the mountain was a true immortal; that's why we struggled so hard to come up here to worship. Who knew this old Taoist was a complete fraud!"

"Yeah, how could a real immortal suddenly get sick and die just like that?"

The more they spoke, the more agitated they became. Li Fan didn't know how to explain, so he simply let them plunder all the items, big and small, from Chuyun Temple.

A moment later, only Li Fan remained alone on the mountain. After collecting and burying his master's ashes, Li Fan recalled the look in his master's eyes just before he died: reluctance, regret, melancholy, hope...

Was his master a fraud? Was the 'Ascending to Heaven Chapter of Chuyun' that his master taught also made up? Li Fan felt that perhaps it wasn't as everyone believed. Immortals, perhaps, truly existed.

Ultimately, Li Fan still did not go down the mountain. He spent the rest of his life alone in the Taoist temple, watching the clouds roll and unfurl in the mountains, and the sun and moon change. He spent his days comprehending the 'Ascending to Heaven Chapter of Chuyun'. He passed his fiftieth year, yet made no progress. He died with regret.

***

In the imperial palace, Li Fan looked at the wooden plaques with names written on them, arranged on a golden tray before him, a hint of impatience in his eyes.

"Take these away. This emperor will continue his cultivation tonight."

"Your Majesty, you haven't favored any concubines in the imperial harem for three months..."

"Hmm?" A fierce glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.

"...Your humble servant obeys."

Li Fan snorted coldly as the chief eunuch retreated in terror. 'Being an emperor isn't worth it,' a thought suddenly arose in his mind. He had plundered the nation's resources to support his cultivation. Outwardly, he still appeared to be a mortal, but in reality, he had already stepped through the threshold of the Golden Core stage. 'These mundane mortal affairs are truly uninteresting!'

With this thought, three months later, during the morning court session, Li Fan tore through the void and departed, right before the assembled civil and military officials.

Two hundred and sixteen years later, while exploring an ancient cave dwelling, Li Fan was unfortunately ambushed. He died, and his cultivation ended.

***

Lingyun Peak.

"How come these tribulation clouds have been gathering for so long and still haven't descended?"

"The might of this Heavenly Tribulation seems even stronger than when our Sect Master ascended back then, doesn't it?"

"Of course. In terms of combat power alone, Junior Martial Uncle is undoubtedly the foremost figure in our Lishan Sword Sect in a thousand years!"

Li Fan looked at the tribulation clouds overhead, their power continuously growing, and a surge of heroic spirit rose within him. Three hundred years of cultivation—what is there to fear from a mere Heavenly Tribulation?

A sword light shot up from Lingyun Peak, piercing the sky. It split the vast tribulation clouds in half! Sunlight poured down through the rift in the tribulation clouds, illuminating Lingyun Peak of Lishan. Heavenly flowers rained down, and the Immortal Gate instantly opened. Li Fan soared into the Immortal Gate without the slightest hesitation.

Upon entering the Immortal Realm, Li Fan was enraged to discover that all the Lishan seniors who had ascended before him had been inexplicably murdered by unknown enemies. He cultivated while simultaneously searching for the mastermind behind the killings. A hundred years passed without any progress.

During an exploration of an ancient immortal cultivation secret realm, he was ambushed by a close friend who accompanied him, dying in a state of shock and unwillingness.

***

Northern Immortal Realm.

Since Emperor Fan unified the Azure Heaven Immortal Realm two thousand years ago, he had embarked on a bloody campaign of conquest. Over the years, the heads of five Celestial Emperors and sixteen Immortal Kings had solidified Emperor Fan's fearsome reputation. Eventually, only the Northern Immortal Realm remained, barely clinging to existence.

Now, a vast army was pressing down, vowing to annihilate the Northern Immortal Realm within a year. In the center of the army, Qin Tang watched Emperor Fan, who was meditating with his eyes closed, and hesitated to speak.

Li Fan opened his eyes and, looking at his trusted general who had fought his way up with him from humble beginnings, rarely showed a faint smile. "Qin Tang, you seem to have something to ask me?"

"To be frank, Emperor, there is indeed something I don't understand."

"Speak freely."

"Emperor, you started as a mere mortal, endured countless hardships, and finally became a Celestial Emperor. Your power is immense, striking fear into all immortals in the Immortal Realm. But why do you never seem to stop? What exactly is it that you relentlessly pursue? After you eliminate Emperor Zhuan and completely unify the Immortal Realm, what will your plans be?" Qin Tang asked, staring at Li Fan, voicing his doubts.

"Heh," Li Fan chuckled softly. "What I seek are merely the two words: 'eternal life'," he said calmly.

Qin Tang was stunned, as if he couldn't believe his ears. "Eternal life? With your current cultivation, Emperor, isn't that already considered eternal life? If there are no accidents, wouldn't it be easy for you to live for several more million years?" he asked, his face full of shock, seemingly unable to comprehend.

"Living for a million years, and you dare call that eternal life?" Li Fan smiled, simply retorting. "In the Desolate Sky Tomb, hundreds of ancient Celestial Emperors have long since turned into dry bones in their graves. Even that ancient immortal, rumored to have created the Immortal Realm and possessed boundless power, hasn't his body turned into a mountain range, suppressed by me beneath my palace? This time, I intend to unify the Immortal Realm, gather the strength of all immortals under heaven, and construct a grand array that covers the entire Immortal Realm. With it, I will blast open that 'immortal cage' said to have existed since ancient times. I want to transcend immortality and advance even further." Li Fan's tone was calm, yet utterly resolute, brooking no rebuttal.

Qin Tang was speechless. Because he knew that beyond the Immortal Realm, there was nothing else. So, he could only silently lower his head.

Everything proceeded according to Li Fan's plan. In just one year, Li Fan unified the entire Immortal Realm. After that, he used incredibly bloody means to suppress all opposition. He gathered resources from across the Immortal Realm and successfully created the grand array intended to break through the Immortal Realm's shackles.

As the grand array was activated, the entire Immortal Realm trembled. Countless cracks appeared in the sky, and everything in the world seemed to be shattering. Li Fan laughed heartily and rushed into the rift. What awaited him was only endless darkness.

***

At this point, the Trial of Constancy had concluded. Because Qin Tang knew there was no longer a need to continue the test. In this trial, an anomaly had appeared. Even if he constructed countless layers of worlds, he likely couldn't wear down this person's unyielding determination. If his master were here, seeing such a prodigy, he would probably be very pleased.

It's just a pity... A hint of melancholy flashed in Qin Tang's eyes.

With a long sigh, everyone awoke from their illusory dream. They found themselves back in the original plaza. Some were bewildered, others realized what had happened and their faces immediately turned pale. Still others had fallen into an epiphany, gaining something.

Qin Tang looked at the cultivators, each displaying different reactions, and said with a smile, "All three trials are now complete. Among you, some performed beyond my expectations, while others were truly disappointing. My Martial Uncle, the Sect Master, once told me that our Cloud Water Heavenly Palace values quality over quantity in disciples." He surveyed the crowd, his expression gentle, "Since that is the case, half of you shall remain."

The cultivators, who had initially looked pleased, all had their expressions drastically change upon hearing Qin Tang's words. "What do you mean?" They were perfectly clear about how they had performed in the three trials. Now, hearing that Qin Tang intended to kill half of the cultivators present, they were immediately shocked and enraged. Cornered, they began to attack Qin Tang.

Qin Tang was not angered. He merely smiled calmly, "Qin Tang, Chief of the Scripture Depository Pavilion of Cloud Water Heavenly Palace. I invite all of you to enlighten me."

As Qin Tang spoke, azure figures suddenly appeared beside half of the cultivators present. They were like duplicates of their targets, identical in appearance, aura, and even strength. Once they appeared, they launched relentless attacks on their targets.

"My Martial Uncle, the Sect Master, is strict. But my master once told me not to be overly ruthless. If you can survive your mirror image, I will not trouble you further." Qin Tang slowly said this, watching the cultivators engaged in a bitter struggle.

The other half of the cultivators who were not attacked, including Li Fan, all chose to retreat from the battlefield to avoid being affected. Li Fan retreated to a safe spot, observing the situation. These azure mirror images attacked with extreme ferocity, never tiring and impervious to injury. Ordinary cultivators were truly no match for them. In combat, they quickly fell into a disadvantage.

Before long, many cultivators tragically died at the hands of their own mirror images. As more cultivators died, those still struggling clearly wouldn't last much longer. Driven to desperation, they cursed Qin Tang.

"Wake up! What disciples are you talking about? Cloud Water Heavenly Palace was destroyed ages ago!"

"What nonsense about masters and martial uncles! When the great tribulation descends, won't everyone just slaughter each other anyway!"

"Slaughter each other?" Qin Tang shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this. "Our Cloud Water Heavenly Palace is united. We respect and love each other. We wouldn't hesitate much even to sacrifice ourselves for our fellow disciples. How could we possibly slaughter each other?"

As Qin Tang spoke, his voice suddenly grew quieter. "Great tribulation, great tribulation..." His brows furrowed, as if remembering something. "Great tribulation..." He continued to repeat the words softly, and the sky above the plaza immediately grew dark.

The azure phantoms attacking the cultivators also began to mutate. Dense blackness continuously surged from within the phantoms, instantly dyeing them a terrifying inky black. The inky mirror images were far more vicious than the previous azure phantoms. In the blink of an eye, more than half of the struggling cultivators died. Only a few remained, barely clinging to life.

Qin Tang had not yet recovered from his trance. He continued to murmur. The ground of the plaza began to shake violently, and dark clouds pressed down from the sky. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled ceaselessly. The cultivators who hadn't been attacked by the mirror images and were watching from the side also instantly sensed trouble. However, facing Qin Tang, who had fallen into a trance, no one dared to act rashly. For a moment, no one knew what to do.

Just then, Li Fan slowly walked up to Qin Tang. He held a wine gourd, patted Qin Tang's shoulder, and offered it to him. With a gentle smile, Li Fan quietly said to Qin Tang, "Senior Brother Qin, have some wine. Don't worry, there's no great tribulation at all."

Qin Tang turned his head, sniffed, instinctively took the wine gourd, and took a gulp. Then he looked at Li Fan with some confusion, "No great tribulation?"

Li Fan nodded confidently, repeating, "That's right, there's no great tribulation at all."

Qin Tang's eyes gradually brightened, and he continuously murmured, "No great tribulation, no great tribulation, no great tribulation..."

"Hahaha, you're right! There's no great tribulation at all!"

After a long moment, Qin Tang burst out laughing, finally returning to normal. The anomalies in the plaza also vanished, and the scene once again became calm and clear. Upon seeing this, everyone present let out a sigh of relief and looked at Li Fan with gratitude.

Li Fan, however, suddenly felt a jolt in his heart. Because he detected two faint, almost imperceptible, killing intents locked onto him. Although these two killing intents were extremely weak, Li Fan's senses were incredibly sharp, and he knew he couldn't be mistaken. And the owners of these two killing intents were none other than Sikong Yi and Baili Chen!

Li Fan pretended not to notice, but secretly used his Undying Killing Intent to lock onto the two of them in reverse. He just held back from attacking.

***

The brief interlude quickly passed, and the battle between the cultivators and the azure mirror images also ended. Ultimately, only two lucky ones survived.

Qin Tang looked at the surviving cultivators with a gentle expression, "The trial is over. You may leave now."

The cultivators were confused and about to speak, but they saw their own figures gradually fading, slowly disappearing from the plaza. Soon, only Li Fan remained among the cultivators present.

Qin Tang looked at Li Fan, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. "Why aren't you leaving?" Qin Tang asked.

Li Fan smiled frankly, "Senior Brother still owes me a good pot of wine."

As if not expecting Li Fan's reply, Qin Tang was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. "You're right, I do owe you a good pot of wine!"

His expression suddenly changed, and he looked at Li Fan seriously. He extended his right hand and gently tapped Li Fan's forehead with his index finger. "This Cloud Water Dream Art is a unique cultivation method I created from scratch, integrating everything I've learned in my life. I hope you won't let it go to waste!"

A moment later, Qin Tang withdrew his finger. Li Fan's figure also slowly faded. The vast plaza once again became empty, with only Qin Tang remaining, just as it had been for thousands of years.

"Martial Uncle, Master, Senior Sister..." Qin Tang looked around forlornly, but found nothing. So, he took another sip of wine.

***

Li Fan gradually regained consciousness. Before him stood a towering gate, bearing the four characters 'Cloud Water Heavenly Palace'. Beneath the gate, stood a stone statue. The statue was severely damaged and scarred. Its heart seemed to have been pierced, revealing a large hollow. From the statue's blurred face, Qin Tang's likeness could vaguely be discerned.

Li Fan quietly gazed at the statue for a moment, then took out a wine gourd from his storage ring. He gently placed it before the statue. Then, he activated his Shadow Movement Technique and swiftly headed in the direction locked by the Undying Killing Intent.